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Correspondence from Miss C. Stanton (Landlady of 11 Manor Place) to Gerald Yorke
11. Manor Place W.2. PAD: 1580
Aug: 2nd / 38
Dear Sir
I wrote to Mr. G.C. Jones [George Cecil Jones] last week with reference to a debt Mr Crowley allowed to accumulate under false promises while living here.
I have notes or letters confirming same from him. His account amounted to over £43. He was recommended to me and I was given to understand he was of good family, a good let, and an honourable gentleman, otherwise I would not have allowed him to run up an account with me, for I can ill afford it. My opinion of him, is, that after living here a couple of weeks he deliberately decided to live upon my honest hard earnings. I am a woman in my 67th year, up at 6.40 a.m. to earn my living and get through my daily work. Denying myself the common necessaries and pleasures of life to enable me to meet my debts and expenses. For sometime I provided breakfast, as extras ordered D. Expresses, Jersey Milk 5 d 1/2 pint: 2/11 a week laundry, matches, candles, 6/6 for tobacco last January, teas, or late light supper. Paid his phone calls, 20, 30, 40, local calls a week, Quarterly Trunk calls and wires (One Jan last, 11/- wire) Quarterly T: calls last March £1-10) 4. My June quarter came in ten days ago and Mr Crowley's quarterly T: calls and wires, amounts to £1-10-6. He was always seeing his Trustees, but they were either busy, illness or away. Last October (I find looking through his letter) he told me that he had £200 to come to him, also rebate on Income Tax. Last Jan he told me £300 was expected also rebate of £172 to 192 to come to him. I worried him week in and out continually stating my position and how I was placed re my own accounts, builders, quarterly and other a/cs, I particularly wanted to know how soon his promises would mature. Everytime he begged me not to worry, as he would pay me in full, besides something for my kindness and forbearance. "I never want more than is due".
He started sneaking his clothes out and several other things besides on 14th and I accidentally heard him arranging to have his pictures and etc removed on June 18th. I was advised to put in the Bailiffs (my only remedy under the circumstances) It was only by chance I heard on the 17th June his financial position. Had I known before, he would never have been allowed to remain after one week defaulting. I could only through Bailiffs claim for rent, I hurriedly put in a claim for £35-2-6 up to June 11th. I accepted on advice of Bailiff £25 out of this costs and I received £19 9/-.
There is now rent owing June 18th 17/6 June 25th 17/6 Mr Crowley occupied my room to June 25th slept here to 21st. He now owes me at least £9.18.3 for things mentioned. I have not received any money from him since Feb 3rd or 1st /38. Yet where he is living now he is paying 30/- per week for unfurnished rooms, besides charwoman. There is a lot of things I would like you to know, but I fear I am not clear when writing. If you would kindly grant me an interview, perhaps I would be able to explain more fully, and a few other things besides. I may say since July 31st/37, he was then in debt to me for £4-1-11. He promised faithfully to pay me in full: at the end of March, then April, then May, Most definitely June. Same excuses. Oh! about March he tried to raise a loan of £60 on this rebate. He presented the form to me (after he had filled it in) to put my signature. Of course "so he told me", it had to have four and I was to be but one, but I would not sign it, although he said I was not a guarantor. He persuaded me for nearly a fortnight to sign. I knew him then, I was to have £30. Yes! and let my home go for the lot. I could say a lot more, but perhaps you will kindly grant me an interview and with your help and Mr Jones enable me to recover this money without further trouble, for I know he has a rebate to come by the form he gave me to read. The £19.9/ barely covers the money I have laid out for him, not forgetting the enormous amount of E: L: he has burnt.
I trust you will excuse hurried scribble and the liberty I have taken in writing to you. Awaiting your kind favour.
Yours faithfully
Miss C. Stanton
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